FDA Classifies Healthcare IT Infrastructure as a Medical Device

Last week, I joined over thirty-thousand Healthcare Information Technology (IT) professionals in Orlando for HIMSS11 . The conference brings together key stakeholders in the Healthcare IT ecosystem to collaborate and devise innovative approaches on the use of IT and management systems for the betterment of healthcare.

The catchphrase at HIMSS11 was, “Meaningful Use”.

This is not surprising given the financial incentives offered to hospitals and providers for the implementation of the “Meaningful Use” of Healthcare IT products by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). “Meaningful Use” is a key driving force behind current Healthcare IT spending. According to the 22nd Annual HIMSS Leadership Survey, two-thirds of respondents reported that their organization is making additional IT investments to position themselves to qualify for the incentives associated with achieving “Meaningful Use.”

What about the Other Game Changer?

To my surprise, most HIMSS11 participants were unaware of a Game-Changing regulation affecting Healthcare providers. On February 15, 2011, FDA announced the Medical Device Data Systems (MDDS) Final Rule. The Rule classifies most Healthcare IT Infrastructure as a Class 1 Medical Devices.

Rick Gentry, Director of Healthcare Solutions at Ruckus Wireless, was part of a small minority in-the-know. According to Rick, “the FDA’s final rule to reclassify Medical Device Data systems provides clarity for device manufacturers and healthcare providers to develop plans to address the development and deployment for the myriad of new products. Ultimately, this should improve the efficiency, quality and safety of care delivery.”

FDA defines MDDS as a device (including off-the-shelf or custom hardware or software products used alone or in combination) intended to provide one or more of the following uses, without controlling or altering the functions or parameters of any connected medical devices:

(i) The electronic transfer of medical device data;
(ii) The electronic storage of medical device data;
(iii) The electronic conversion of medical device data from one format to another format in accordance with a preset specification; or
(iv) The electronic display of medical device data.

MDDS may include software, electronic or electrical hardware such as a physical communications medium (including wireless hardware), modems, interfaces, and a communications protocol.

Siemens was poised to address the MDDS Final Rule. According to a company statement “Siemens is well prepared for compliance with the final MDDS rule. The company has prepared its solutions and processes to meet the FDA requirements and to ensure that data stored, transferred or displayed on our systems remain reliable. Our processes are controlled and certified according to international quality standards for medical device manufacturers and are intended to provide the level of assurance of safety and effectiveness that is expected for a medical device and by our customers.”

Does The MDDS Rule Have Teeth?

Many at HIMSS11 shrugged off the impact of the MDDS regulation citing their experience with HIPAA requirements which have not resulted in significant fines.

FDA will utilize the same policies it uses to enforce Pharmaceutical and Medical Device requirements in the regulation of MDDS manufacturers. These include Form FDA 483 “Inspectional Observations,” warning letters, and other established mechanisms.

Non-compliance with FDA Regulations can lead to:

Injunction

Condemnation and seizure

Court-ordered injunction

Civil money penalties

Criminal Prosecution

In 2009, FDA’s enforcement actions resulted in record penalties, when the Justice Department announced a $2.3 Billion settlement for what it called the “largest health care fraud settlement in its history.” That qualifies as teeth.

MDDS Enforcement Plan:

Manufacturers of Medical Device Data Systems must comply with FDA’s published requirements according to the following schedule:

The MDDS rule becomes effective April 18, 2011.

MDDS manufacturers must register and list their device(s) with FDA by May 16, 2011 (90 days after the publication of the rule in the Federal Register)

Manufacturers must establish and implement an FDA compliant Quality System within 12 months of the Rule’s effective date

MDDS manufacturers must implement a Medical Device Reporting (MDR) system for their devices no later than April 18, 2012.

So before you procure another Healthcare IT infrastructure component, make sure the manufacturer is ready to comply with MDDS requirements. Otherwise, FDA may consider you, the Hospital, a Class 1 Medical Device Manufacturer.

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